Fusion tool

ABSTRACT

The fusing of a service connector to a main is effected by holding the main firmly in place with a clamp while the service connector is pressed against it with a press, the areas of each being fused, having previously been heated to fusion temperature. The press receives the service connector and holds it firmly while the connector&#39;&#39;s saddle and the main are brought into fusion temperature by a pair of heating platens. The heating platen for the main has a hole forming die which effects a hole in the main during its heating. After heating is accomplished, the platens are removed and a pneumatic cylinder actuated to move the press and the connector&#39;&#39;s saddle against the main with a predetermined force. A mandrel of the press maintains the hole formed in the main open during fusion. A connector locking device is released before fusion to admit to the withdrawal of the press from the connector after fusion without affecting the resultant bond.

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 United States Patent 1 Hutton [57 ABSTRACT The fusingof a service connector to a main is effected by holding the main firmlyin place with a clam [54] FUSION TOOL Inventor: Walter C. Hutton, 1567Waldran Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90041 p while the service connectoris pressed against it with [22] May 1970 the areas of each being fused,

Appl. No.; 33,549 heated to fusion temperature. The press receives theservice connector and holds it firmly while the connectors saddle andthe main are brought into fusion [52]U.S.Cl............t...........t......,....l56/580,

temperature by a pair of heating platens. The heating [51] Int. Cl.

platen for the main has a hole forming die which effects a hole in themain during its heating. After heating is accomplished, the platens areremoved and a [58] Field of Search.......

pneumatic cylinder actuated to move the press and the connectors saddleagainst the main with a [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSpredetermined force. A mandrel of the press maintains the hole formed inthe main open during fusion. A connector locking device is releasedbefore fusion to admit to the withdrawal of the press from the con-'nector after fusion without affecting the resultant bond.

L M N. .a .e n "i hm metee m n mnuw .l wP HYw 2 500 776666 999999 1111110 23 4 1 1 1 475966 262302 0 999 17 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PrimaryExaminer-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant ExaminerJames M. HanleyAttorney-Christie, Parker & Hale 51 Mar. 27, 1973 United States Patent 1Hutton CONT/N050 FPO/VI F/6.1A

PATENTEUMAR'QHQH SHEET 10F 4 down V050 0 96,15

' INVENTOR. v WALTER c. HUTTOA/ ,4 TI'ORNEYS FUSION TOOL BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION A This invention relates to the fusion of two memberstogether. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatusespecially adapted to fuse plastic pipes together.

Recently, plastic pipe has come into use for supplying natural gas. Onetype of plastic pipe that is capable of being fused together is, forexample, polyethylene pipe.

In natural gas distribution a main pipe or main feeds several branchpipes or service lines. Connectors are employed to couple the servicelines to the inain. The service lines, connectors and main are, ofcourse, hollow. For this reason, prior to fusing a service connectoronto a main, an aperture may be formed in the main onto which theconnector is to be fused.

The method generally followed previously in the fusion of main and aservice connector together required the supporting of the main in apreselected position and supporting the service connector so as to allowits lateral movement relative to the main. The areas of the members tobe fused were then heated to fusion temperatures and the serviceconnector forced against the fixed main with the force required forproper fusion.

Furthermore, an aperture had to be formed in the main, usually by a handdrill, for gas flow out of the main, through the connector and into theassociated smaller service line.

In the past this operation was performed manually. Two men weregenerally required to insure the closest possible alignment of themembers being fused and uniform contact pressure between them duringfusion.

Notwithstanding the use of two men, it was very difficult to apply therequired fusion pressure in making a coupling between a serviceconnector and a main. Additionally, proper alignment was not alwaysachieved resulting in areas inadequately fused together with the SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION The fusion tool of the present invention contemplates aclampmounted on a base for receiving and securing a section of main. Aservice connector press mounted on the base is laterally displaceable ofthe clamp by a power means, such as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.The connector press has a hollow interior for receiving the connectorand, preferably, a mandrel. The mandrel maintains the integrity of ahole in the main produced by a forming die. Preferably, a connector lockis employed which secures the connector in the connector press until theconnector is about to be fused to the main. A heating apparatus isemployed to bring the areas of the main and connector to be fused up tofusion temperatures. After the aperture in the main is formed and theareas of the main and connector to be fused are at fusion temperatures,the heating apparatus is removed and the connector press actuated toforce the connector against the main with a predetermined force.

Inasmuch as a service connector has 'a saddle with a cylindricalconfiguration which corresponds to the cylindrical exterior surface ofthe main, it is important to insure accurate register between the saddleand the main. This is done in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention by providing means for preventing the connector press fromrotating and providing a complementary bearing flange for the serviceconnector saddle. The bearing flange also acts to press the saddleagainst the main during fusion.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description,appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a perspective view of aportion of the tool of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the completing portion of the toolshown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a heating device and heat sink used with the tool of FIGS.1A and 18;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of thepresent invention showing it immediately following the formation of anaperture in a main; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional, elevational view of the tool of thepresent invention as it appears during the fusing a main and serviceconnector together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is a toolfor making a connection between two pieces of plastic pipe. Thepreferred embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to polyethylene pipe. The connections made by the tooldescribed made between a main and a service connector.

With reference to FIGS. 1A through 3, the tool of the present inventionhas four subassemblies carried by rectangularly shaped base member 10.The first subassembly, indicated by reference numeral 12, is a clamp forsecurely holding a main during the fusion process. A second of thesubassemblies 13 is a connector press to hold the service connector inplace during the fusion process. A third of the subassemblies 14 appliespressure to the connector and main during'fusion. The final subassemblyl5 heats the main and service connector to fusion temperatures.

Subassembly or clamp 12 is cylindrically shaped. It has twosemicylindrical sections 18 and 20 joined together by a hinge pin 21disposed in complementary hinge pin journals 22 and 23 which arealternately attached along longitudinal edges of sections 18 and 20,respectively, to the sections. Because of the hinged connection betweensections 18 and 20, clamp 12 may be opened at its parting line betweenthe half sections for the receipt of a main pipe. I-Ialf section 20 iscut away in its midsection in order to expose that portion of a main ofpolyethylene pipe held by clamp 12 onto which a service connector ofpolyethylene pipe is to be fused.

Clamp 12 is mounted to base member 10 by means of an upright 24. Upright24 is welded to base member 10 at 25. The upright is also welded to halfsection 18 along an interface 26. As such, only half section is capableof rotating about hinge pin 21.

In order to firmly clamp a main within clamp 12, the clamp includeslocking device 28. The locking device includes a pair of notched locklugs 30 and 32 which are welded to the upper surfaces of half section 20at each of its ends. Lugs 30 and 32 each have V-shape notched surfaces34 and 36, respectively. Lugs 30 and 32 are mounted so that V-shapenotched surfaces 34 and 36 are aligned with each other and face in adirection away from the parting line between half sections 18 and 20.

Locking device 28 further includes a T-bar handle 38 defined byperpendicularly oriented rods 40 and 42. Rod 42 is journaled forrotation in a pair of bushings 44 and 46. A plate 48 is disposed betweenrod 42 and half section 18 of clamp 12. Plate 48 is welded directly tohalf section 18 at points along line 50. Bushings 44 and 46 are alsowelded to plate 48. Thus, rod 42 may be rotated within bushings 44 and46 and relative to plate 48 and half section 18 merely raising orlowering rod 40. In other words, and with reference to FIGS. 1A and 3,as rod 40 is raised from the position shown, rod 42 will rotateclockwise within bushings 44 and 46.

End portions 54 and 56 of rod 42 extend longitudinally from bushings 44and 46. End portions 54 and 56 are respectively welded to bushings 58and 60. Bushings 58 and 60 are themselves rotatably carried by blocks 62and 64, respectively, through hinge pins, one of which is shown byreference numeral 65. A U- shaped latch or bar 66 is carried by blocks62 and 64 through threaded connections between the blocks and ends 68and 70 of bar 66. Nuts 72 and 73 are threaded on ends 68 and 70 of bar66 on either side of blocks 62 and 64 to provide adjustment in the throwof bar 66 relative to lugs 30 and 32.

The operation of locking device 28 is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 1Aand 3, U-shaped bar 66 is engaged within V-shape notched surfaces 34 and36 of lugs 30 and 32 when rod 40 of T-bar 38 is pointed substantiallydownward. As rod 40 of T-bar 38 is lifted upward, rod 42 rotatesclockwise within bushings 44 and 46. Such clockwise rotation causesbushings 58 and 60 to travel in an arc upwardly and towards half section20, since they are welded to end portions 54 and 56 of rod 42. Sinceeach of bushings 58 and 60 is rotatably carried by blocks 62 and 64,respectively, movement of the bushings causes U-shaped bar 66 to lift inthe vicinity of the blocks and in the vicinity of the bite of the U tomove laterally away from notched lock lugs 30 and 32. Once U-shaped bar66 clears lugs 30 and 32, it may be lifted out of the way by rotating itcounterclockwise about the longitudinal axes of bushings 58 and 60. OnceU-shaped bar 66 has been moved clear of lugs 30 and 32, half section 20may be rotated clockwise about hinge pin 21 thereby opening cylindricalclamp 12 for receipt ofa main of polyethylene pipe.

Once the main polyethylene pipe has been positioned within cylindricalclamp 12, it is desirable to lock the main in the clamp so that it isfixed in position. This is accomplished by rotating half section 20counterclockwise until it contacts the main, and then rotating U-shapedbar 66 clockwise until it engages notched lock lugs 30 and 32. Rod 40 ofT-bar 38 is then lowered, thereby forcing U-shaped bar 66 into V-shapenotched surfaces 34 and 36 of lugs 30 and 32. When this happens,cylindrical clamp 12 is securely locked on the main.

The function, therefore, of clamp 12 is to provide means for supportinga main of polyethylene pipe in a fixed preselected position relative tobase member 10 and the rest of the fusion tool.

One important attribute of clamp 12 is that it holds a main ofpolyethylene pipe straight. Polyethylene pipe is often supplied in coilform and, as a consequence, it needs to be straightened or rounded outwhere it is to be fused to the saddle of a service connector in order toinsure full contact and fusion between the connector and the main. Clamp12 does this.

The second subassembly, subassembly 13, is a connector press. It has twoprimary functions: first, to support 'a connector at a fixed preselecteddistance from base member 10 and on the centerline of a main secured inclamp 12; and second, to maintain, during the fusion of the connector tothe main, an aperture formed in the main polyethylene pipe by a heatingdevice (to be more fully described and explained below). Secondsubassembly 13 is carried by subassembly 14. The third subassemblyprovides a means for moving the connector press laterally toward andaway from clamp 12 and, during the fusing of a service connector and amain together, a means to provide a predetermined contact pressurebetween the connector and main.

Connector press 13 is best shown in FIGS. 1A and 3. FIG. 3 illustrates aconnector 78 removably secured within the connector press. Connectorpress 13 basically includes a substantially cylindrically shaped housing80 which is open at one end and secured to a coupling plate 82 at itsother end. A flange 84 is at the open end of housing 80. The flange hasa concave surface 86 with a circular curvature disposed most adjacentclamp 12 to engage an externally curved surface of a saddle 87 of theconnector.

Second subassembly 13 further includes a rnandrel 88 of cylindricalconfiguration having a chamfered end 90 protruding from the open end ofhousing 80. The interior end of the mandrel is secured interiorly ofhousing 80 to an interior wall 91 coaxial with the axis of the housing,as by threads. As will be seen below, mandrel 88 maintains an apertureformed within a main of polyethylene pipe held in clamp 12.

A trip lock 92 is mounted to the bottom of housing 80 for selectivelylocking connector 78 (FIG. 3) within housing 80. Trip lock 92 has a pairof downwardly extending, parallel plates 94 and 96, between which arepivotally secured a gripping member 98 (FIG. 3) and a cam member 100.Gripping member 98 is pivotally secured between plates 94 and 96 throughpin 101. The free end of the gripping member has teeth 102 for engagingan exterior longitudinal surface of connector 78. Cam member ispivotally secured between plates 94 and 96 through a pin 103. A camsurface of cam member 100 is disposed to engage gripping member 98 toforce teeth 102 against connector 78.

An aperture 104 is defined in the bottom surface of housing 80 and isadapted to pass teeth 102 of gripping member 98 into the hollow interiorof the housing. As more clearly seen in FIG. 3, when cam member 100 issubstantially vertically oriented, teeth 102 extend through aperture 104to grip connector 78. The gripping prevents connector 78 from axialmovement relative to housing 80. Once a main and a connector have beenfused together it is necessary to withdraw housing 80 from theconnector. This necessitates freeing connector 78 from housing 80 whichis accomplished by the counterclockwise rotation of longitudinal cammember 100. With such rotation, gripping member 98 is free to rotatecounterclockwise to release connector 78. It is contemplated that aspring (not shown) can be used to bias gripping member 98 out ofaperture 104.

To effect the release of gripping member 98, a tripping lug 106 ismounted on base member at a sufficient distance from upright 24 thatconnector 78 is released from housing 80 prior to the contact ofconnector 78 with the main of polyethylene pipe. A lateral tripping andsetting lug 107 of cam member 100 is disposed to engage tripping lug106. Lug 107 also provides for the manual locking of connector 78 withinthe housing.

A rod 108 is mounted between upright 24 and tripping lug 106. Thepurpose of rod 108 is to maintain cam member 100 out of engagement withgripping member 98 after tripping by lug 106 and during movement ofhousing 80 toward and away from clamp 12 in the space between trippinglug 106 and the clamp. Thus, after fusion (described below in detail),housing 80 may be expeditiously withdrawn from connector 78 withoutaffecting the fusion bond.

Third subassembly 14 is shown in FIGS. 1B and 3. Third subassembly 14 ismounted at the end of base member 10 opposite clamp 12. Basically itincludes a double-acting power cylinder 110 which drives a shaft 112toward and away from clamp 12. Double-acting power cylinders are wellknown in the art and thus a detailed description of cylinder 110 is notfelt necessary. Power cylinder 110 is mounted between a pair ofupstanding plates 114 and 116 so that cylinder 110 is parallel with andat a preselected distance from base member 10.

A control valve 118 is mounted beneath power cylinder 110 on'base l0 andis operatively coupled with power cylinder 110 supplying pressurizedair. A control element 120 is operatively connected to control valve 118in a standard manner for selectively driving shaft 112 toward and awayfrom clamp 12.

An alignment sleeve 122 is also mounted between upstanding plates 114and 116, and is disposed above and parallel with power cylinder 110. Ashaft 124 is axially movable within sleeve 122. Interior ends 126 and128 of shafts 112 and 124, respectively, are secured to coupling plate82. As control valve 118 is actuated to cause air pressure to forceshaft 112 axially toward clamp 12, shaft 124 will necessarily follow.The purpose of shaft 124 and sleeve 122 is to insure that housing 80,containing connector 78, does not rotate about its axis during movementward and away from clamp 12 and to thereby maintain saddle 87 properlyoriented with respect to the cylindrical surface of a main to which itis ultimately fused.

A timing device 130 is mounted to plate 116 for actuation by shaft 124.Contained within the end of sleeve 122 adjacent plate 116 is an actuatorrod 132 around which is disposed a biasing spring 134 (FIG. 3).

The spring urges rod 132 toward clamp 12 to the posi tion shown. A head136 of rod 132 is disposed to be engaged by shaft 124.

Timer is actuated when shaft 124 is moved axially toward clamp 12. Timer130 is actuated by such axial movement since spring 134 forces actuatorrod 132 a slight distance toward clamp 12 when shaft 124 leaves head136. Rod 132 is coupled to timer 130 through a link 137 which is carriedby rod 132 through adjusting nuts 139.

Since clamp 12 is mounted in a fixed preselected position above basemember 10, it is necessary that the other end of base member 10 bevertically adjustable to accommodate the different elevations that amain of polyethylene pipe may be from a supporting surface, the supportsurface typically being the ground. In this regard, an adjustablepedestal 138 is adjustably clamped to the end of base member 10 remotefrom lamp 12 by means of clamping device 140 in the form of a block witha threaded thumb screw 143. The block is rotatably carried by base 10through a connecting pin 14]. For storage, the thumb screw is loosenedand the shaft of pedestal 138 extended for its full length. Pedestal 138is then rotated 90 about its connecting pin 141. The'pedestal is thenslid into base 10.

The fourth, and last, major subassembly is a heating device 142 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The heating device includes a heating element 144 (FIG.3) disposed between a main heating platen 146 and a service connectorheating platen 148. Main heating platen 146 has a substantially flatsurface 150 adjacent heating element 144, and a concave surface 152 mostadjacent clamp 12. A forming die 154 is carried by main heating platen146 and extends from concave surface 152 toward clamp 12 for the formingof a hole in a main of polyethylene pipe. The forming die is secured tomain heating platen 146 through a threaded plug 155 attached to it andengaged with a threaded bushing 157 of the platen. The die is hollow forretaining a button of polyethylene resulting from the formation of ahole in the main. An air relief port 159 through the wall of the dieprovides for the escape of air. A lip 161 of the die aids in returningthe button.

Connector heating platen 148 also contains a substantially flat surface156' juxtaposed with heating element 144, and a convex surface 158. Anaperture is defined within connector heating platen 148 through convexsurface 158 to accommodate mandrel 88 when connector 78 is moved againstheating platen 148. Heating platens 146 and 148 are bolted together bybolts 162 so that heating element 144 is sandwiched between the heatingplatens.

Heating device 142 further includes a heat shield 164 having an aperture165 defined through the center and identical in configuration anddiameter to aperture 160. Heat shield 164 is adapted to be removablyjux-' taposed with convex surface 158 of connector heating platen 148(as shown in FIG. 4). The shield has a backing member 163 and aninsulating layer 167, say asbestos, on the backing member for shieldingconnector 78. The entire heating device 142 is movably carried by basemember 10 by means of angles 166. These angles are secured to heatingdevice 142 and are slidably disposed along the upper corners of basemember 10. Thus, heating device 142 may be positioned at any desireddistance laterally of clamp 12.

The over-all operation of the entire fusion facilitating apparatus willnow be described in detail with specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 5viewed collaterally with FIGS. 1A through 3. The method involved in thefunctioning of the apparatus is described with regard to the followingsteps.

The entire fusion facilitating apparatus is positioned relative to amain polyethylene pipe, indicated by reference numeral 168, so thatclamp 12 is directly underneath the pipe. In the manner described above,clamp 12 is opened to receive main pipe. I

Thereafter, the base member is lifted so that the polyethylene pipe islaterally moved into cylindrical clamp 12, which is then clamped ontothe main in the manner described previously with regard to lockingdevice 28. Before the pipe is locked within clamp 12, the remote end ofbase 10 is raised so that the base is parallel with the ground. Withthis the case, pedestal 138 is adjusted so that base member 10 issupported parallel to the ground, at which point clamping device 140 isclamped to the pedestal.

Connector 78 is then placed in housing 80 of connector press 13.

The heating device 142 is then slidably placed on base member 10 withthe main heating platen 146 most adjacent the main polyethylene pipe. Inthis regard, heat shield 164 is placed in juxtaposition with convexsurface 158 of connector heating platen 148 and with its aperture 165aligned with aperture 160. I-Ieating device 142 is then heated to atemperature of approximately 500 F., i.e. proper fusion temperature.

Control valve 118 is then operated to actuate double-acting powercylinder 110 in a manner such that shaft 112 is forced axially towardmain 168. With this the case, shaft 124 additionally moves axiallyoutward from sleeve 122 to insure, in the manner described above, thatconnector 78 does not rotate. The action of shaft 112 causes couplingplate 82, and thus housing 80, to move laterally toward heating device142 and clamp 12. In the process of such lateral movement, connector 78contacts heat shield 164, thereby inserting mandrel 88 through apertures165 and 160 and within connector heating platen 148. Further lateralmovement toward clamp 12 then causes not only housing 80, but heatingdevice 142 as well, to move toward the main polyethylene pipe which issecurely clamped within clamp 12. Eventually, forming die 154, heated tothe fusion temperature of 500 F., will come into contact with the mainpolyethylene pipe to form an aperture therein as concave surface 152 ofmain heating platen 146 approaches and then contacts the mainpolyethylene pipe.

Rapidly upon the formation of the aperture within the main pipe, controlvalve 118 is again actuated, but this time forcing shaft 112 axiallyback into cylinder 110 toward the remote end of base 10. Heating device142 remains in the position wherein concave surface 152 of main heatingplaten 146 is in contact with the main polyethylene pipe. However,housing 80 and mandrel 88 laterally move away from heatingdevice 142.

Next, heat shield 164 is removed. Additionally, control valve 118 isactuated to actuate double-acting cylinder 110 to again force shaft 112laterally toward the main polyethylene pipe. This time, however,connector 78, secured within housing 80 by gripping member 98 which isheld in position by cam member 100, comes into contact with convexsurface 158 of connector heating platen 148. Additionally, mandrel 88moves into aperture 160. Double-acting power cylinder 110 thereby causesa pressure contact between connector heating platen 148 and connector78, and between main heating platen 146 and a main polyethylene pipesecured in clamp 12. During such pressure contact, connector 78 and themain polyethylene pipe are both heated to fusion temperatures, i.e.approximately 500 F.

Timing device 130, which has been actuated by the movement of shaft 124axially outward from sleeve 122, informs the apparatus operator of thepredetermined time it takes both the main pipe and connector to heat tothe proper fusion temperature. Upon an indication of the elapsed time bytimer 130, control valve 118 is operated to actuate double-actingcylinder 110 in the opposite direction, thereby driving shaft 112axially back into its cylinder. With this the case, housing 80 withconnector 78 still clamped in it by gripping member 98 moves laterallyaway from heating device 142.

The heating device is then removed from base member 10. Control valve118 is once again actuated to move shaft 112 axially outward fromcylinder 110. This time, however, connector press 13 moves all the wayuntil connector saddle 87 contacts the main polyethylene pipe. Mandrel88 moves into the aperture formed within the main polyethylene pipe inorder to maintain the aperture free of melted material. Since the mainpolyethylene pipe and the connector (also a polyethylene pipe) are bothpreheated to fusion temperatures, as described above, the resultantcontact pressure supplied by double-acting power cylinder 110effectuates an even melt pattern and a properly aligned fusion withoutthe main pipe aperture being affected.

Since the connector press 13 has moved close to the main polyethylenepipe, tripping lug 106 has caused the rotation of cam member into ahorizontal position to free connector 78 from gripping member 98. Asalready stated, rod 108 maintains cam member 100 and gripping member 98out of engagement with connector 78 during the fusion process. Controlvalve 118 is then operated to effectuate a retraction of shaft 112 backinto cylinder 110.

Cylindrical clamp 12 is then reopened and taken from the mainpolyethylene pipe.

What has been described, therefore, is a fusion tool especially suitedfor the fusing together of a pair of polyethylene pipes by means offusing a connector onto a preselected portion of a main of polyethylenepipe.

The fusion tool, according to the present invention, completelyeliminates the need for two men to perform the fusion operation, onlyone man being needed to operate the apparatus itself. Furthermore, thepresent invention provides precise alignment of the pair of members tobe fused and, in addition, provides the precise fusion pressure requiredto obtain a more consistent and even melt pattern on the members to befused.

What is claimed is:

l. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together comprising:

a. a base;

a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securingthefirst pipe in a fixed position along a backside thereof between ends ofthe clamp;

- c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and retracted positionand a fusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clampbetween the ends thereof, the fusion position being sufficiently closeto the clamp to effect contact under pressure between the first pipe inthe clamp and the second pipe in the press;

d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retractedand fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the secondpipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during theirfusion and to retract the press under power after fusion;

e. means for heating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to befused, such means being translatably disposable on the base between theclamp and the press and responsive to movement of the press towards thefusion position to move toward the clamp; and

f. a forming die carried by the heating means in posi tion to form ahole in the first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directlyheated by the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed forgas communication between the interior of the firstpipe and the interiorof the second pipe.

2. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means includes afirst and a second pair of heating platens, the first heating platenhaving a concave surface corresponding to that of the first pipe, thesecond heating platen having a convex curvature corresponding to thecurvature of the end of the second pipe to be fused, the first andsecond platens being disposable against the first pipe and second pipe,respectively.

3. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming die has a hollowinterior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollowinterior during the formation ofa hole in the first pipe.

4. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the press includes a mandrelcoaxially disposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis ofthe housing, the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing formaintaining the hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die duringthe fusion of the first and second pipes together.

5. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the press has a flange having aconcave curved surface for engaging a saddle of the second pipe duringthe translation of the second pipe towards the first pipe and forpressing against the saddle during the fusion of the two pipes together.

6. The tool claimed in claim 5 including means for preventing rotationof the housing of the press during translation thereof toward and awayfrom the clamp.

7. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein a lock is provided on the housingfor selectively locking the second pipe to the housing.

8. The tool claimed in claim 7 including means for preventing the secondpipe lock from engaging the second pipe after the first and second pipeshave been fused together and during the translation of the press awayfrom the first pipe.

9. The tool claimed in claim 1 including a supporting pedestal on an endof the base remote from the clamp to supportthe base at a preselectedangular position with respect to the first pipe. v

10. The tool claimed in claim 9 wherein the supporting pedestal isrotationally secured to the base for storage along the axis of the basewhen not in use, and including means for locking the pedestal in placeduring use.

11. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together in the fieldcomprising:

a. a base;

b. a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting and securingthe first pipe in a fixed position, the clamp including a firstsemicylindrical member and a second semicylindrical member each having aconcave surface of the same curvature as the exterior of the first pipe,and means to open and close the semicylindrical members to receive andsecure the first pipe between them;

c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and hold at least aportion of the second pipe, the press being mounted on the base formovement toward and away from the clamp along a path at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the first pipe between a retracted position and afusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp betweenthe ends of the semicylindrical members, the fusion position beingsufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure betweenthe first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; and

d. power means for selectively moving the press between the retractedand fusion positions, the power means being operable to press the secondpipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during theirfusion and to retract the press under power after fusion.

12. The tool claimed in claim 11 wherein the semicylindrical member hasan aperture therein for passage of the second pipe into contact with thefirst pipe during fusion.

13. The tool claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the opening and closing meansincludes the first and second semicylindrical members being pivotallysecured together along adjacent longitudinal edges thereof and means toselectively secure the other longitudinal edges of the members togetherfor the securing of the first pipe in the clamp.

14. The tool claimed in claim 13 wherein the selective securing meansincludes at least one lug on one of the semicylindrical members, a latchon the other semicylindrical member selectively engageable with the lug,and a handle for selectively releasing and engaging the latch with thelug.

15. The tool claimed in claim 11 including means for heating to fusiontemperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means beingtranslatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press andresponsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to movetoward the clamp; and

a forming die carried by the heating means in position to form a hole inthe first pipe before the area surrounding the hole is directly heatedby the balance of the heating means, the hole being formed for gascommunication between the interior of the first pipe and the interior ofthe second pipe.

16. The tool claimed in claim 15 wherein the forming die has a hollowinterior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollowinterior during the formation of a hole in the first pipe; and

the press includes a mandrel coaxially disposed with the axis of thehousing and along the axis of the housing, the mandrel extending from anopen end of the housing for maintaining the hole in the first pipeformed by the forming die during the fusion of the first and secondpipes together.

17. The tool claimed in claim 15 including a supporting pedestal on theend of the base remote from the clamp to support the base at apreselected angular position with respect to the first pipe, thesupporting pedestal being rotationally secured to the base for storagealong the axis of the base when not in use, and including means forlocking the pedestal in place during use.

1. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together comprising: a. abase; b. a selectively operable clamp on the base for supporting andsecuring the first pipe in a fixed position along a backside thereofbetween ends of the clamp; c. a press having a housing adapted toreceive and hold at least a portion of the second pipe, the press beingmounted on the base for movement toward and away from the clamp along apath at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe between aretracted position and a fusion position, the path lying on a lineintersecting the clamp between the ends thereof, the fusion positionbeing sufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressurebetween the first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; d.power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted andfusion positions, the power means being operable to press the secondpipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during theirfusion and to retract the press under power after fusion; e. means forheating to fusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, suchmeans being translatably disposable on the base between the clamp andthe press and responsive to movement of the press towards the fusionposition to move toward the clamp; and f. a forming die carried by theheating means in position to form a hole in the first pipe before thearea surrounding the hole is directly heated by the balance of theheating means, the hole being formed for gas communication between theinterior of the first pipe and the interior of the second pipe.
 2. Thetool claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating means includes a first and asecond pair of heating platens, the first heating platen having aconcave surface corresponding to that of the first pipe, the secondheating platen having a convex curvature corresponding to the curvatureof the end of the second pipe to be fused, the first and second platensbeing disposable against the first pipe and second pipe, respectively.3. The tool claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming die has a hollowinterior with an air relief port in position to vent air from the hollowinterior during the formation of a hole in the first pipe.
 4. The toolclaimed in claim 1 wherein the press includes a mandrel coaxiallydisposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis of the housing,the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing for maintainingthe hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die during the fusionof the first and second pipes together.
 5. The tool claimed in claim 1wherein the press has a flange having a concave curved surface forengaging a saddle of the second pipe during the translation of thesecond pipe towards the first pipe and for pressing against the saddleduring the fusion of the two pipes together.
 6. The tool claimed inclaim 5 including means for preventing rotation of the housing of thepress during translation thereof toward and away from the clamp.
 7. Thetool claimed in claim 1 wherein a lock is provided on the housing forselectively locking the second pipe to the housing.
 8. The tool claimedin claim 7 including means for preventing the second pipe lock fromengaging the second pipe after the first and second pipes have beenfused together and during the translation of the press away from thefirst pipe.
 9. The tool claimed in claim 1 including a supportingpedestal on an end of the base remote from the clamp to support the baseat a preselected angular position with respect to the first pipe. 10.The tool claimed in claim 9 wherein the supporting pedestal isrotationally secured to the base for storage along the axis of the basewhen not in use, and including means for locking the pedestal in placeduring use.
 11. A tool for fusing a first and a second pipe together inthe field comprising: a. a base; b. a selectively operable clamp on thebase for supporting and securing the first pipe in a fixed position, theclamp including a first semicylindrical member and a secondsemicylindrical member each having a concave surface of the samecurvature as the exterior of the first pipe, and means to open and closethe semicylindrical members to receive and secure the first pipe betweenthem; c. a press having a housing adapted to receive and hold at least aportion of the second pipe, the press being mounted on the base formovement toward and away from the clamp along a path at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the first pipe between a retracted position and afusion position, the path lying on a line intersecting the clamp betweenthe ends of the semicylindrical members, the fusion position beingsufficiently close to the clamp to effect contact under pressure betweenthe first pipe in the clamp and the second pipe in the press; and d.power means for selectively moving the press between the retracted andfusion positions, the power means being operable to press the secondpipe against the first pipe with a predetermined force during theirfusion and to retract the press under power after fusion.
 12. The toolclaimed in claim 11 wherein the semicylindrical member has an aperturetherein for passage of the second pipe into contact with the first pipeduring fusion.
 13. The tool claimed in claim 11 wherein the opening andclosing means includes the first and second semicylindrical membersbeing pivotally secured together along adjacent longitudinal edgesthereof and means to selectively secure the other longitudinal edges ofthe members together for the securing of the first pipe in the clamp.14. The tool claimed in claim 13 wherein the selective securing meansincludes at least one lug on one of the semicylindrical members, a latchon the other semicylindrical member selectively engageable with the lug,and a handle for selectively releasing and engaging the latch with thelug.
 15. The tool claimed in claim 11 including means for heating tofusion temperature the areas of the pipes to be fused, such means beingtranslatably disposable on the base between the clamp and the press andresponsive to movement of the press towards the fusion position to movetoward the clamp; and a forming die carried by the heating means inposition to form a hole in the first pipe before the area surroundingthe hole is directly heated by the balance of the heating means, thehole being formed for gas communication between the interior of thefirst pipe and the interior of the second pipe.
 16. The tool claimed inclaim 15 wherein the forming die has a hollow interior with an airrelief port in position to vent air from the hollow interior during theformation of a hole in the first pipe; and the press includes a mandrelcoaxially disposed with the axis of the housing and along the axis ofthe housing, the mandrel extending from an open end of the housing formaintaining the hole in the first pipe formed by the forming die duringthe fusion of the first and second pipes together.
 17. The tool claimedin claim 15 including a supporting pedestal on the end of the baseremote from the clamp to support the base at a preselected angularposition with respect to the first pipe, the supporting pedestal beingrotationally secured to the base for storage along the axis of the basewhen not in use, and including means for locking the pedestal in placeduring use.